Signal cheating apparatus



Oct. 8', 1935.

C. C. CHENOWETH SIGNAL CREATING APPARATUS Filed June 1, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lu/uc n Kor,

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Oct. 8, 1935. c. c. cHENowETH SIGNAL CREATING vAPPRATUS Filed June l, 19154 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CMA o: Ml

Patented Oct. 8, '1935 UNITEDA STATES PATENT OFFICE 'I This invention relates -to a signal creating apparatus for use at railway grade crossings, and has for its object to provide, an apparatus of the class referred to, under the control of` a train 6 approaching the crossing for producing a distinctive warning signal, in the form of 'a quickly visible body of vapor,- at the intersection of a railway track and a road, boulevard or street for lwarning one travelling' towards the intersection that a train is approaching the latter thereby reducing the possibilities of accidentsl to a minirnum.A

A further object of the invention is to provide,' in a manner-as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus of thev class referred to under the control of a train approaching a railway crossing for producing a body of vapor and for directing said body upwardly from the crossing to provide a readily visible warning signal -to one approaching the intersection of an oncomingv train.

Further objects of the invention are toprovide, in a manner as hereinafter setI forth, an appa* ratus for the purpose referred to which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, dulrable, readily installed with respect to a railroad crossing and a railway track, thoroughly efficient for the purpose intended thereby, automatic in its operation, inexpensive in maintenance, expedi-tiously repaired` and cleaned when required, and comparatively inexpensive.

To the above ends essentially, and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of such parts and such combination of parts which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a top plan view showing the apparatus, in accordance with this invention installed with respect to a railroad intersection and a railway track.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional -view of a vapor producing structure.

Figures 3 and 4 are longitudinal sectional views of two other forms of vapor producing structures. Figure 5 is a transverse cross sectional view v of another form of vapor producing structure.-

Figure 6 is a top plan view illustrating a different position of the grid at the intersection and a different position of the vapor producing structure of the form shown in Figure 2.

The apparatus includes a structure under the controly of a train approaching the intersection for producing a body of vapor which is to extend upwardly from the bottom of the intersection and constitute a Warning signal lto a pedestrian or the driver of a vehicle approaching the intersection from either side of the latter. The structure referred to may or may not be provided with a blower device for forcingthe body of vapor ,up through the -bottom of the intersection. In Figure 2 the vapor producing' structure is shown as being provided with a blower device. be of the type'to provide for a liquid to come in contact with 4the atmosphere to produce smokeand such type is shown `in Figure 2; ano-ther vapor producer may be of that type whereby an electric heating elem'ent is floated upon a body of liquid and made active by the train approaching the intersection to produce the vapor and such type is shown in Figure 3; or the vapor producer may be of a type whereby the train approaching the intersection will control a discharge of gas into the atmosphere to produce smoke andthis type is shown in Figure 4; or the vapor producer may be of that type including an electric heating element seating on a solid and which is made active by the trainapproaching the crossing to produce a body of vapor and this type is shown in Figure 5.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the Odrawings I denotes an intersection b'etween a railroad track 2 and a 4road 3. Mounted between the track members 4, 5 of the track 2 and centrally with respect to the intersection I, as wellr as being iiush with the level of the latter is an open grating or'grid 6. Arranged below the road3 and extended to below the intersection I is an open upper end containerbody 'I- upon whichis positioned a flanged lid 8. One end of the latter has a rectangular opening 9 which registers with a vertical passage I0 formed in the bed II of intersection I. Thel grating or grid Ii is positioned at the top of passage I0.

Supported within the body 1 and above the bottom of the latter is a ared normally closed receptacle I2 having one end provided with an upwardly inclined hollow tapered extension I3 terminating and openinginto a closed annular casing I4.. The extension I3 provides a flared passage I5 opening into the upper portion of receptacle I2 at one end of the latter. The top I6 One vapor providing structuremay of receptacle I2 at the other end of the latter inv cludes an upstanding inclined partition I1 which `has its upper end registering with one of the end I9 of receptacle I2 is cut away to provide an outlet 22 which is normally closed by a spring controlled gate 23. The receptacle I2 is to communicate with that portion 24 of body 1 which is arranged below opening 9 when gate 23 is open. The partition I1 constitutes a deflector.

Arranged within the casing I4 is a fan 25 which is operated from an electric motor 26 positioned within the upper part of body 1 in proximity to the end 2| of the latter. The motor 26 is interposed in a normally open power circuit 21. Interposed in the latter is a circuit closing means 28 therefor.- The means 28 is arranged in juxtaposition to track rail 5 at a point remote from intersection I and is actuated by the wheels of a train approaching the latter for the purpose of operating motor 26 to drive fan 25. When fan 25 is operated the gate 23 is forced open against the action of its spring and the liquid 29 in receptacle I2 comes in contact with the atmosphere to produce a body of smoke, the latter constitutes the Warning signal, and it is forced by the fan up through the grid 6 at the intersection I to constitute a Warning to a person or driver approaching the latter. The partition I1 functions to direct the smoke produced in a direction towards passage I0 and prevents the smoke from passing to the rear of the body 1.

With reference to Figure 3 a modified form of vapor producing structure is illustrated consisting of a rectangular container 30 having a top formed of a iixed part 3I and a hinged part 32 of grid like form. Within the container 30 is a closed top receptacle 33 having the end wall 34 thereof cut out to form an outlet 35. Integral with the upper end of wall 34 is an outwardly directed downwardly inclined deilector 36 which is arranged adjacent the outlet 35. Within receptacle 33 is a body of liquid 31 upon the level of which is arranged an electrical heater element 33 made active by the train approaching the intersection to produce in connection with the liquid 31 a body of Vapor which passes from the receptacle 33 and into the container 30. 'I'he body oi' vapor is discharged' up through the hinged section 32. The

container 30 is to be positioned relative to the intersection I in the same manner as the container body 1 and with the hinged section located at the bottom of passage I0.

Figure 4 illustrates another modied form of vapor producing structure consisting of a container 39 having a portion of its top in the form of a gird 40 to be located at the bottom of passage III. Within the`container 39 is a tank 4I for a storage of gas. An electrically operated outlet valve structure 42 is provided for tank 4I. The structure 42 is controlled by a train approaching intersection I for the purpose of opening structure 42 to provide for a discharge oi gas from tank 4I into the atmosphere for the purpose of producing smoke which travels up through grid. 40 to provide the signal.

;With reference to Figure 5 another modiiiled-y vform of vapor producing structure is shown con- I sisting of an electric heating elementV 43 seated' on a solid body 44 of suitable material and Amade active by the trainapproaching the intersection I to coact with the solid 44 to produce a body of vapor. The body. is arranged within a container 45 having a grid 45 at its top to be positioned at the bottom of passage III.

With reference to Figure 6 the vapor producing structure indicated generally at 41 is of the same form shown in Figure 2. The structure 41 is disposed lengthwise oi and below the track 2, as well as extending below and transversely with respect to intersection I. In Figure 6 the rectangular grid indicated at 48 is disposed in a direction transversely of the track 2.

Any suitable arrangement may be had for clean- 5 ing and filling the vapor producing structures.

What I claim is:

1. In a signal creating apparatus for railroad intersections, a normally inactive electrically operated visible vapor producing means located bel0 low the ground level and having an outlet positioned below the intersection, means for conducting the vapor produced by said means from said outlet in a direction to travel upwardly with respect to the level of the intersection to provide l5 a warning signal and including a grid at the level oi the latter for the passage of the vapor, and electrical means controlled by a train as it approaches the intersection for making active said vapor producing means. 20 2. Ina signal creating apparatus for railroad intersections, the combination with the bed of the intersection formed with a passage opening at the level oi the latter, of a normally inactive visible vaporv producing means completely arranged be- 25 low the ground level and communicating with said passage, and electrical means controlled by a train at a point remote f rom-said vapor producing means as the train approaches the intersection for making active said vapor producing 30 means whereby a body of vapor is formed for discharge through said passage into the atmosphere above the intersection to provide a warning signal.

3. In a signal creating apparatus for railroad intersections, the combination with the bed of the 35 intersection formed with a passage opening at the level of the latter, of a normally inactive visible vapor producing means completely arranged below the ground level and communicating with said passage, electrical means controlled by a train at 40 a point remote from said vapor producing means as the train approaches the intersection for making active said vapor producing means whereby a body of vapor is formed for discharge through said passage into the atmosphere above the inter- 45 section to provide a warning signal, and a grid at the outer end of said passage and iiush with the vlevel of the intersection.

ynal in the form of a body of vapor, and means for conducting the body of vapor from said outlet to extend into the atmosphere above the level of the intersection.

5. In a signal creating apparatus for railroad o0 intersections, a normally inactive visible vapor producing means located below the ground level and having an outlet vpositioned below the level of the intersection, means controlled by a train as it. approaches the intersection for making active 65 said vapor producing means to provide a warning signal in the form of a body of vapor, means for conducting the body of vapor from said outlet to extend into the atmosphere above the level -oi the intersection, and the said means controlled by the 7( train including a propelling element for the body of vapor. .Y

6. In a signal creating apparatus for road intersections, a normally inactive vapor producingmeans completely located below the ground level 7g vapor producing means to provide a warning signal in the form of' a body of visible vapor, and means for conducting the body of vapor from said outlet to extend into the atmosphere above the level of the intersection.

7.' In a signal creating apparatus for road intersections, the combination of a casing completely located below the ground level and having an outl let, a normally inactive visible vapor producing means within said casing, a grid at the level of the road intersection for the passage of vapor into the atmosphere, a conducting passage for the vapor leading from said outlet to said grid, and means controlled by a mobile body as the latter approaches the intersection for making active said vapor producing means.

road intersection for the passage of vapor into the atmosphere, a conducting passage tor the vafpor leading from said outlet to said grid. said vapor producing means including a normally inactive propelling element for the vapor produced by said means when the latter is active, and

means controlled by a mobile body as the latter approaches the intersection for sirnultaneousllr making active said vapor producing means and element.

9. In a signal creating apparatus for road intersections, a casing located completely below the ground level and provided at its top with an outlet, a normally inactive visiblevapor producing means arranged within said casing, a grid arranged at the level of a road intersection in parallel spaced relation to said outlet for the passage of vapor into the atmosphere, a vapor conducting passage leading from said outlet to said grid, and means controlled by a mobile body as the latter approaches the intersection for making active said vapor producing means.

CHARLES C. CHENOWETH. 

